116 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



It is of great importance to save manure and make the 

 most of it, and with this view many of our stables are built 

 over cellars, which are reeking pits of it, u})on which hogs 

 are kept, and the steam and smell make the atmosphere in 

 which the horse rests and sleeps unwholesome. Horses are 

 worth more than manure and they should enjoy the pure air 

 and good liffht of a well- ventilated stable. 



Large box stalls are considered a luxury and advantage. 

 I think this is a mistake. I would only use a box stall for 

 a sick horse. Nor would I have the common standins; stall 

 too wide. Four feet or a few inches more is ample width. 

 The exercise of a horse out of doors should be regular and 

 constant, and it will not do to depend upon box stalls for it. 

 Nor should horses stand upon litter or any kind of bedding. 

 In a box stall they eat it and play with it. It should ])e 

 removed every morning to a place where it can be thoroughly 

 aired and dried. The floor of a stall should be level. 



Hay racks which constrain the animal to feed with his 

 head in the air are an abomination. Hay seed and dust con- 

 tinually irritate his eyes, which are organs of great delicacy 

 in the horse. Hay should ])q put on the floor, so that the 

 animal may feed in his natural position. 



The diseases of man are largely due to gluttony. The 

 greater part of mankind stuff" themselves with food, are in- 

 capable of effective work, struggle with disease, and do not 

 live half their days. This bad judgment in his own case the 

 owner extends to his horse, and it is exceedingly rare to see 

 one that indicates lack of nutrition. He may be old, lame 

 or diseased, conditions his master cannot alter, but he has 

 plenty of food. 



Some horses fatten easily ; they are strong, sound ani- 

 mals, of bilious temperament, that work without fretting 

 and take life in a quiet way. Such horses are good feeders 

 and need restraint. Others are nervous, take life hard, fret 

 over their troul)les, are slow, reluctant eaters and poor sleep- 

 ers. Such need encouragement. 



No rules can be laid down for feeding. The good stable- 

 man will understand his horses, observe them closely, and 

 regulate the food by the work. The horse has the smallest 

 stomach known to comparative anatomy. It does not hold 



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